Chain-repair tool



Dec. 9, 1924. 1,518,908

v. A. FlSCHER CHAIN REPAIR TOOL Fi 1ed'Apri1 10. 1924 Patented Dec. 9, 1924.

UNITED STATES VICTOR A. FISCHER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

CHAIN-REPAIR TO 0L.

Application filed April 10, 1924.

To all whom. it may concern:

Be it known that I, VICTOR A. Freeman, a citizen of the United States, and resident of New York city, county of New York, and State of New York, have invented an Improvement in Chain-Repair Tools, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has for an object the provision of a portable tool, especially adapted for use as part of the equipment of the tool chest of an automobile or' garage, for use more especially in repairing Weed chains or their equivalent, wherein the worn transverse chain link-bars must, when worn, be removed and replaced by new ones.

More generically considered, my invention is adapted for opening and closing chain link loops, irrespective of the use of the chain.

lvith the above and other objects in view, the nature of which will be more fully understood from the description hereinafter, the invention consists in the novel construction of chain repair tool, as hereinafter more fully described and defined in the claims.

Referring to the drawings: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my improved chain repairing tool in the act of fully opening a loop of a chain link; Fig. 2 is a similar view of the operative parts in the initial act of opening the loops of a chain link; Fig. 3 is a similar view but showing the operative parts in the final act of closing the loops of a chain link; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the same; Fig. 5 is a front view of the same; and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the opening wedge blade.

2 is the body of the upper jaw 3 and said body is provided with clamping means comprising a fixed jaw 41 and clamping screw 5 having the handle part 6. This clamping means allows of the tool being conveniently clamped upon the running board of the automobile. The jaw 3 is curved and provid ing a wide curred clamping surface 10, preferably having a central rib 18 (Fig. 9 is a lever hinged to the side of the body 2 at 8 by a transverse pivot-bolt, and having the short arm formed as a curved jaw 7 arranged immediately below and oppositely directed to the jaw 3; said jaw likewise having the wide curved clamping surface 11, preferably providing a central rib' 19. The ribs 18 and 19 are in the same vertical Serial No. 705,563.

alinement, but, if desired, these ribs may be omitted. 24 is a spring for normally opening the jaws 8 and 7, as shown in Fig. 2.

To the end of the jaw 7 is hinged a wedge shaped blade 12 having a broad base at 16 to abut the flattened end 14 of the jaw and also having the hinge lug 15 which fits into a slotted provision in the end of the jaw and joined thereto by the transverse hinge pin 13. This lower jaw 7 may also be provided at its end nearest to the hinge or fulcrum point 8 with a downwardly extending slot 17 for receiving the chain link 23, as shown.

The operation and functioning of the tool in repairing a Weed chain will now be understood. Assuming that a worn transverse link 20 is to be disconnected from a longitudinal link element 23, the latter is set in the slot 17 ,the two loops 21 of the link 20 seated i respectively on the curved surfaces 10 and on opposite sides of the rib 18. The wedge blade 12 is then turned upward to enter between the ends 22 of the loops and the link body portions 20, as indicated in Fig. 2. The lever arm 9 is then depressed with the result that the looped ends 21 are opened up widely by the action of'the wed 'eblade 12, it swinging inwardly as the aw i rises toward jaw 3, as indicated in Fig. 1. In closing the open link loops 21, whether of the same link or of another link in open condition, the link loop is placed between the open jaws 3 and 7, but in an inverted position to what is shown in Fig. 2 and after the wedge blade 12 has been turned outward, as in Fig. 3; and thereupon the lever arm 9 is depressed, with the result that the looped ends 21 of the link are closed, as clearly shown in Fig. 8. In this way, the link 20 is securely attached to one bar of the longitudinal link 23. During these operations, the longitudinal links of the Weed chain structure are free to move in the slot 17 when. opening or closing the link loop 21, as will. be readily understood by comparing Figs. 1, 2 and 3. As the link 20, as ordinarily constructed, is provided with two parallel link loops 21 (Figs. 4 and 5), they are maintained with a slight separation during the act of opening and closing by the presence of the ribs 18 and 19 (Fig. 5'). Furthermore, these ribs centralize the loops between the jaws 3 and 7 thereby insuring them being properly operated upon during the manipulation of the tool. The ribs prevent lateral slipping or displacement of the loops within the jaws.

It will further be understood that. the opening wedge blade 12 is free, to swing. on, its pivot 13 when opening the link 21', as will be apparent by noting the different positions assumed in Figs. 1 and 2. In closing the links, however,.this wedge blade: 12 is turned in the outward position, as shown in Fig. 3, and thereby constitutes an extension: to the jaw 7 which supports the linlt 20 in a positive manner when the tool is be ing operated in the act oi closing the links.

It will= now be apparent that I have deviseda: novel and useful construction which embodies the features of advantage enumerated as desirable, and while I have in the present instance shown: and described the. preferred embodiment thereof which has been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, it is: to be understoodthat I do not restrict myself to the details, as the same are susceptible of modification in various particulars without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Having now described my invention, what I claim: as new and desire to secure by Lett'ers Patent is:

1. In atool' tor opening and closing chain links, the combination ofi two jaws hinged together and provided with means for imparting arelative opening and closing motion thereto, said jaws having their opposing faces shaped to receive and grasp a looped end 013 a chain link, one ofsaid jaws being provided with anadjustable wedge shaped bl'ad'e and of such proportions that the wedge end thereof may be directed in wedge shaped blade hinged to the outer end of-oneoii the jaws in such manner that when the wedge end is turned outward away from thezjaws,.itz is positively held as an extension to the jaw and forms a support for the body of thelinl; to, prevent it shitting during the closing openation. 1

3. The invention. according to claim 1!, wherein further, one of the jaws is provided witha. transverse slotopening tangentiallyt'o. the hinge and from the inner operating surface of the jaw for receiving. one of the longitudinal chain links and: permitting it to rise and: l a-llzintheslot during theop erat'ion upon the looped portions of the other or transverselinks.

4. The invention according to claim 1, wherein fairtlier, the opposing surfaces of thetwo j aws are oppositely curved-5 and each is provided with a'wide transverse surface having a centrally projecting rib.

5 The invention according to claim 1, wherein: the wedgeshaped blade is directly hinged in an adjustable manner and is provided with. an extended base at the hinged end which abuts the end. of the jaw when turned in an extended position away from the hinge, whereby it is supported? in such manner as to act as a guide (illCli sustain. the bodj ofthe link when the looped endtthereof is being closed.

In testimony of which invention, I hereuntoset my hand.

VICTOR: A. FIS CHEER. 

